A5036125221- Plant and animal studies
- Ecology and Vegetation Dynamics Studies
- Coastal wetland ecosystem dynamics
- Insect-Plant Interactions and Control
- Isotope Analysis in Ecology
- Insect and Arachnid Ecology and Behavior
- Forest Insect Ecology and Management
- Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology
- Genetic diversity and population structure
- Animal Ecology and Behavior Studies
- Species Distribution and Climate Change
- Bioenergy crop production and management
- Microbial Community Ecology and Physiology
- Plant Physiology and Cultivation Studies
- Fire effects on ecosystems
- Plant Parasitism and Resistance
- Seedling growth and survival studies
- Mycorrhizal Fungi and Plant Interactions
- Insect and Pesticide Research
- Forest Ecology and Biodiversity Studies
- Cassava research and cyanide
- Land Use and Ecosystem Services
- Plant Taxonomy and Phylogenetics
- Forest Management and Policy
- Constructed Wetlands for Wastewater Treatment
Georgetown University
2012-2024
Institute of Entomology
2020
John Wiley & Sons (United Kingdom)
2020
University of Maryland, College Park
2005-2010
Northern Arizona University
2000-2007
We present evidence that the heritable genetic variation within individual species, especially dominant and keystone has community ecosystem consequences. These consequences represent extended phenotypes, i.e., effects of genes at levels higher than population. Using diverse examples from microbes to vertebrates, we demonstrate phenotype can be traced individuals possessing trait, community, processes such as leaf litter decomposition N mineralization. In our development a genetics...
To test the hypothesis that genes have extended phenotypes on community, we quantified how genetic differences among cottonwoods affect diversity, abundance, and composition of dependent arthropod community. Over two years, five major patterns were observed in both field common-garden studies focused species their naturally occurring F1 backcross hybrids (collectively referred to as four different cross types). We did not find overall significant richness or abundance cottonwood types. found...
We examined how plant genetic variation and a common herbivore (the leaf‐galling aphid, Pemphigus betae ) influenced leaf litter quality, decomposition, nutrient dynamics in dominant riparian tree ( Populus spp .). Based on both observational studies exclusion experiment using trees of known genotype, we found four major patterns: 1) the quality galled vs non‐galled or gall‐excluded significantly differed concentration condensed tannins, lignin, nitrogen phosphorus; 2) difference resulted...
We examined the hypothesis that mutualists, predators, and host plant quality act in concert to determine distribution abundance of a common herbivore. The aphid, Chaitophorus populicola, is found only association with ants, which provide tending services protection from predators. As consequence, aphid declined by 88% on plants located ≥6 m an ant mound. Differences resulted fecundity being greatest narrowleaf cottonwoods, 7–22% less backcross hybrids, 37–46% F1 57–61% Fremont cottonwoods....
Abstract While population genetic diversity has broad application in species conservation, no studies have examined the community‐level consequences of this diversity. We show that (generated by interspecific hybridization) a dominant riparian tree affects an arthropod community composed 207 species. In experimental garden, plant cross type structured individual trees, and among stands wild, accounted for nearly 60% variation previous garden demonstrated effects genotype on communities, our...
Abstract The evolutionary analysis of community organization is considered a major frontier in biology. Nevertheless, current explanations for structure exclude the effects genes and selection at levels above individual. Here, we demonstrate genetic basis structure, arising from fitness consequences interactions among species (i.e., interspecific indirect or IIGEs). Using simulated natural communities arthropods inhabiting North American cottonwoods (Populus), show that when comprising...
The evolutionary analysis of community organization is considered a major frontier in biology. Nevertheless, current explanations for structure exclude the effects genes and selection at levels above individual. Here, we demonstrate genetic basis structure, arising from fitness consequences interactions among species (i.e., interspecific indirect or IIGEs). Using simulated natural communities arthropods inhabiting North American cottonwoods (Populus), show that when comprising ecological are...
Abstract We define a genetic similarity rule that predicts how variation in dominant plant affects the structure of an arthropod community. This applies to hybridizing cottonwood species where determines plant–animal interactions and structures dependent community leaf‐modifying arthropods. Because associated is expected respond important traits, we also tested whether chemical composition one potential intermediate link between genes composition. Two lines evidence support our rule. First,...
Abstract This article documents the addition of 229 microsatellite marker loci to Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for following species: Acacia auriculiformis × mangium hybrid , Alabama argillacea, Anoplopoma fimbria, Aplochiton zebra, Brevicoryne brassicae, Bruguiera gymnorhiza, Bucorvus leadbeateri, Delphacodes detecta, Tumidagena minuta, Dictyostelium giganteum, Echinogammarus berilloni, Epimedium sagittatum, Fraxinus excelsior, Labeo chrysophekadion,...
Abstract: We argue that the genetic diversity of a dominant plant is important to associated dependent community because species such as herbivores are restricted subset genotypes in host‐plant population. For plants function habitat, we predicted greater population would be with arthropod community. Using naturally hybridizing cottonwoods ( Populus spp.) western North America model system, tested general hypothesis alpha (within cross‐type richness) and beta (among composition) diversities...
Abstract With the emerging field of community genetics, it is important to quantify key mechanisms that link genetics and structure. We studied cottonwoods in common gardens natural stands examined potential for plant chemistry be a primary mechanism linking arthropod communities. If drives relationship between structure, then several predictions followed. would find (i) strongest correlation genetic composition chemical composition; (ii) an intermediate (iii) weakest composition. Our...
Numerous studies have examined relationships between primary production and biodiversity at higher trophic levels. However, altered in plant communities is often tightly linked with concomitant shifts diversity composition, most not disentangled the direct effects of on consumers. Furthermore, when do examine animals terrestrial systems, they are primarily confined to a subset taxonomic or functional groups instead investigating responses entire community. Using natural monocultures salt...
Urban forests provide many ecosystem services. The urban heat island effect can alter these services, in part by increasing arthropod herbivore abundance. Natural enemies, such as predators and parasitoid wasps, play a crucial role controlling street tree herbivores, but their responses to warming are almost completely unknown. In this 2-year study, we investigated how abundance affected natural enemies trees using an gradient removal treatments. Spiders were far the most abundant enemy...
Abstract We tested the hypothesis that leaf modifying arthropod communities are correlated with cottonwood host plant genetic variation from local to regional scales. Although recent studies found composition can structure dependent herbivore communities, abiotic environment is a stronger factor than effect at increasingly larger spatial In contrast these we community both cross type of cottonwoods and individual genotypes within rivers up scale 720 000 km 2 (Four Corner States region in...
Anthropogenic nutrient inputs into native ecosystems cause fluctuations in resources that normally limit plant growth, which has important consequences for associated food webs. Such from agricultural and urban habitats nearby natural systems are increasing globally can be highly variable, spanning the range sporadic to continuous. Despite global increase anthropogenically-derived ecosystems, of variation subsidy duration on plants their webs poorly known. Specifically, while some studies...
Summary Numerous studies have demonstrated biodiversity–productivity relationships in plant communities, and analogous genetic diversity–productivity using genotype mixtures of single species may show similar patterns. Alternatively, competing individuals among genotypes within a are less likely to exhibit resource‐use complementarity, even when they large differences their effects on ecosystem function. In this study, we test the impact diversity identity function an ecosystem‐scale common...